Shooting an Elephant

Orwell says he shouldn't shoot an elephant, and that he has no desire to shoot it. What happens that makes him suddenly "realize that [he] should have to shoot the elephant after all"?

Orwell says he shouldn't shoot an elephant, and that he has no desire to shoot it. What happens that makes him suddenly "realize that [he] should have to shoot the elephant after all"?

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Last updated by jill d #170087
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Orwell suddenly realizes that he has an audience.

Moreover, I did not in the least want to shoot him. I decided that I would watch him for a little while to make sure that he did not turn savage again, and then go home.

But at that moment I glanced round at the crowd that had followed me. It was an immense crowd, two thousand at the least and growing every minute.

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Shooting an Elephant